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01.16.17

Nic at Night classic re-runs no longer represent the American family. In 1960, 37% of households included a married couple raising their own children. Today, only 16% of households look like that.

As you strive to reach the modern family, here are 5 facts to keep in mind.1. Adults are delaying marriage. The median age for marriage is now 29 for men and 27 for women. In 1960, 65% of people ages 18 to 32 were married. In 2013, only 26% of people ages 18 to 32 were married.

2. Children. In 1960, women ages 15 to 24 accounted for 40% of mothers with infants. In 2011, women ages 15 to 24 only accounted for 22% of mothers with infants. The average mother today has 1.9 children. In 1960, the average mother had 3.7 children.3. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender parents. 37% of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender adults have had a child at some point in their lives. 48% of LGBT women under the age of 50 have a child under the age of 10. 20% of LGBT men under the age of 50 have a child under the age of 10.

4. Family structures. 44% of young people ages 18 to 29 have a step sibling.This is compared to 23% of people ages 50 to 64 and only 16% of those 65 and older who have a step sibling.Unmarried mothers account for 41% of births compared to only 5% in 1960. 72% of births to black women are to unmarried mothers, 53% for Hispanic mothers and 29% for white mothers.

5. Family diversity. 15% of all new marriages in the U.S. are between spouses of a different race or ethnicity. This is compared to 7% in 1980. Hispanics (26%) and Asians (28%) are the most likely to marriage outside their ethnicity.

What does these trends mean for ministries who are striving to reach families? How can be relevant for today’s families?

Be a place where families can belong before they believe. Families walking in your doors will not be coming from a traditional Christian background. They need space to explore and check out what it means to follow Christ before committing. They need a place that will welcome them right where they are and patiently walk forward with them.

Reflect the diversity of your community. Churches that want to reach a diverse community must be diverse. Churches that limit themselves to one particular demographic will be very limited on how many people they can reach.